The Northern Elders Forum NEF, is holding a crucial meeting since Sunday, April 29. Although the agenda of the meeting is sketchy as of the time of filing this report, the northern elders will not fail to discuss the state of the nation, insecurity in northern Nigeria, restructuring, policies of Tinubu-led govt, northern governors’ US symposium.
Other issues on the front burner before the Forum for deliberation, it was also gathered, include the swelling numbers of internally displaced persons in the north, the high cost of living, and herders/farmers clashes, among others. A top member of the NEF told our reporter on Monday that they have been meeting since the weekend. He said categorically, “we have been in a meeting in Zaria”. He told the reporter, “I will call when I return to Abuja”. “Okay. Save trip. I expect a communique”. The reporter responded.
Recall that the chairman of NEF, Professor Abdullahi Ango had revealed that the northern elders support a return to the parliamentary system.
Also, recall that the NEF has been critical of President Tinubu over some of his economic policies and appointments.
Spokesperson for the NEF, Mallam Abdulazeez Suleiman recently said during a media interview that the northern elders also cannot ignore the stark realities facing our nation under President Tinubu’s watch. “The economic policies implemented by his administration, particularly the decision to float the naira, have led to widespread hardship and suffering for millions of Nigerians. Hunger, inflation, job losses, business closures, decaying infrastructure, and a lack of hope for the future are just some of the challenges facing our country today”, he said.
The spokesman added, “The NEF is also on record as having expressed its discontent with the current state of affairs and demanding a change that will improve all Nigerians’ security and quality of life. As part of this desire for transformation, the North stands ready to participate in any restructuring process that is aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable society. It is important to note that the North has nothing to fear from any restructuring process, as long as it (the North) is treated as a partner and not as a problem to be solved”.
The elders, it was gathered will look at the controversy surrounding the recent visit to the United States by some Northern governors to discuss regional insecurity. It was reliably learnt that this is part of the agenda of the NEF’s meeting ongoing.
Africa Health Report can recall that the north had accused the president of lopsided appointments, in which he allegedly favours his people from the South West part of the country. But in defending Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the president has been fair to the north. He said, “President Bola Tinubu deliberately appointed northerners into key positions”.
Ribadu who stated this while delivering lecture on “Navigating The Maze: Addressing Multi-Dimensional Insecurity Challenges In Northern Nigeria” as part of the activities marking the 38,39,40 and 41st combined convocation of Usmanu Danfordiyo University, Sokoto, added, the President picked northerners to take charge of strategic places because he wanted problems in the region squarely addressed.
Details coming later…
